New year, new rules of the game: 10 sustainability shifts to watch in 2026

10 sustainability shifts to watch in 2026 (and what they mean for print & packaging)

As we step into 2026, one thing feels clear: sustainability is moving from a ‘programme’ to a business operating system.

Sustainability Magazine’s latest expert predictions paint a picture of a year where expectations harden, data gets sharper and the competitive gap between ‘claims’ and proof widens fast.

Transparency becomes the baseline. The era of polished sustainability messaging is giving way to honest progress reporting – targets, trade-offs and credible transition plans with real investment behind them.

Supply chain visibility moves beyond Tier 1. Leaders are calling for end-to-end connectivity, redesigning products for durability and reuse and using AI to optimise demand planning and reverse logistics.

Circular economy thinking accelerates. With materials getting more complex and costly, businesses are expected to prioritise designs that can be repaired, refurbished, or remanufactured, critical for Scope 3 progress.

AI gets scrutinised. Yes, it can unlock efficiency, but it also has real energy and water costs, pushing organisations to ask tougher questions about ‘sustainable AI.’

Auditable action replaces vague pledges. With regulation and green-claims pressure rising, sustainability data is increasingly treated like financial data: evidence-led, consistent, and audit-ready.

And underpinning it all….sustainability as profit. Nearly 90% of the world’s 4,000 largest companies are reportedly linking decarbonisation to business value – cost, resilience, differentiation, and growth.

That’s exactly where CarbonQuota focuses: helping print and packaging teams turn sustainability into a practical advantage, with robust, activity-based carbon data you can use for customer requests, reporting and product decisions.

If 2026 is your year to move from ambition to proof, let’s talk.

Read the full article in Sustainability Magazine